Hydrangea Tree

All About the Hydrangea Tree

The hydrangea tree is, simply put, one of the best trees to have in your backyard or garden for many reasons. If you want to try out your green thumb and plant a beautiful yet hardy tree that will bring color to your home, then this tree is a great choice for you. There are many different variations on the hydrangea, but all are worth looking into. I will tell you in this article all about the hydrangea and what it can bring to your garden.

The hydrangea tree is known to botanists as the hydrangea paniculata, which is Latin for ‘limelight’. This deciduous plant typically grows between six and eight feet in height, and blooms with flowers that are usually either rose or mauve or pale green in color. Most people enjoy the hydrangea for this reason: it allows you to customize the look of your garden for just the right color of flower. Also, this tree comes in various sizes, which allows for even more customization.

As far as growing hydrangeas is concerned, these plants have a variety of options for your particular needs. Some variants, like the Mophead and Lacecap hydrangeas, grow very well in hardiness zone 8. Other types thrive in any zone from 4 to 8, which means you can plant them and have them flourish in 80% of the continental United States. These trees need to be planted in soil that has a pH anywhere from 6.1 to 7.8 – in other words, not too alkaline or acidic. Also, make sure the soil you use is moist, because hydrangeas need ample water.

The ideal planting place for a hydrangea tree is in a moderate climate with moist soil, ample rainfall, and just the right amount of sun. Most varieties grow best in places like the Midwestern and Southern United States – although some types are suited for climates a little to the north and west of those. Two types that are especially hardy and can be grown as far north as hardiness zone 3 are the Annabelle and Peegee hydrangeas.

When cultivating a hydrangea tree, you must be aware that this tree does not seed. You cannot grow a hydrangea from seeds, nor can you grow them from flowers –they are sterile. Rather, the best way to cultivate one of these trees is to plant softwood cuttings in your soil. If planting multiple trees, be sure to give them plenty of room by putting six to eight feet of distance between them in all directions – and again, make sure that you are using cuttings. Many people like to use hydrangeas to line driveways or patios, which is possible as long as you keep in mind the spacing distance.

Hydrangeas typically bloom either in the late summer, early fall, or late fall. They do not usually bloom in the spring (and are not winter plants either). Some, like the Endless Summer type, even bloom more than once in a year. And did you know that you can actually change the color of your flowers? It is true. Changing from blue to pink, for example, is done by subtracting aluminum from your soil. Changing from pink to blue means adding aluminum to your soil (which is best done with a pot). There are other methods and ways of changing the color of the flowers on your hydrangea, which allows you the freedom and flexibility to make your garden look however you want.

If you are in need of an attractive, easy to grow, and hardy tree that does not require massive amounts of water, meticulous attention, and expensive fertilizers, then the hydrangea tree is for you. I’m sure you will be impressed with the aesthetic qualities it brings to your home and garden.